Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-04-20
Gales aud Sketehes.
TINY.
CONTINUED from Yesterday.

| ing for ball, 'She SAID IN stralneu VOICE
| It was a mockery OF mirth. Mile had
expected under the circumstances that
she would have declined to go. But that
would only have led her father to ask
questions, SO she pretended to look for.
ward TO the day with her old delight.
Shirlv Hall was large, old-tashioned
rambling house, full of long corridors. Sc
cret passa oes. and odd. shaped rooms. The
original building was hundreds of years
old. but it had been added to and added
to until it was the most extraordinary ar
ranoement in bricks and mortar that ever
YOU saw. The rooms were still shown,
NTH their deep wainscottings and sliding
PANELS. wherein number of Royalists
had taken refuge after the battle OF Wor,
cester A large bedroom has been spec
! ially built for the coming-of- age tete, and
invitations had been sent to all the best
families in the country.
At last the day came. Aunt Rachel OF
course, went with the girls. The first
person they met when they entered the
room was Grace Wilton. She was look
ing splendid in her dress OF creamy lace
with bouquets of crimson roses. smiling
triumphantv on all around. Was she not
soon to wed the handsomest man in the
room, the richest heir in the county? For
Jasper Darrell was there, too. The two
girls, the tall and imperial Grace. and
the frail little Tiny, were standing side by
side when he came up to them. He evil
IDENTIFY felt touch of shame, for his face
flushed scarlet. He shook hands, chatted
a moment, and then went off with his
financee.
He has chosen we'll. They are a
handsome pair She is far more suited
to him than should be. Poor little Me
would look quite silly by his side," said
Tiny. with laugh, as she watched them.
Her sister hoped that the pain was dead,
and felt lighter in herself; but she had
had no experience yet of the depth and
strength and endul ance of wOman's love.
The ball was a great success, and all
said they had enjoyed themselves i'm
mensely. Several of the guests were to
stay at the Hall for couple of days, a
whole round of entertainments being pro-
vided. Darrell was staying so was Grace,
so were the Peckhams. The next day
they all took things quietly. and in the
evening were in bed betimes. All sorts
of plans had been laid for the morrow.
for no one foresaw what a tragedy the
night would bring forth.
The servants had hardly retired half an
hour when the house was startled by cry
of Fire."
Fire Fire! Fire !" was echoed
down the corridors. startling the sleepers
and filling hearts with fear. Before the
household was fairly aroused the flames
had possession of the old structure-they
Toasted on the time worn timbers and
leaped towards the red-tiled roof. To the
guests sleeping in the new portions of the
house there was little danger. for they had
time to dress and save themselves, but it
was terrific scramble for life with many
in the old wing, for the flames had pos
session of the staircase and the landings
were all ablaze.
Are we all here ?' cried Bob Shirley
TO the terror. stricken group gathered in
the courtyard watching the arms of smoke
ard flame that held the house.
Yes. The ladies were all saved. Tom
Peckham was with the rest of the boys
hard at work at the pumps and the fire.
engines kept on the premises.
Is Darrell with you, PeckhamP'
No; we have not seen HIM"
He was sleeping on the top floor. Just
then a sheet of flame burst forth and lii
up AL the windows. A shrek of terror
broke forth from all who saw at one oil
the windows near the roof the white face
Of Jasper Darrell.
He is doomed.
1t was the thought that paralyzed all
brains and held all hands.
"Oh! save him; save him - walled
Giace Wilton in despair. Can nobody
save him p'
There is no hope by the staircase; il
has fallen. But know way" and Box
Shirley, always brave and fearless, darteC
into the smoke. In a moment he came
back-his face black and his clothes
>corched.
Hopeless. There is secret staircase
and a narrow passage at the top which
communicates with the room Jasper is in
but part OF the brickwork has fallen in
and am much too big to get through
only get rope 10 him. There are bars
to the windows and he could let himsel
down"
But there seemed no way.
Grace Wilton sat on the chair which had
been brought to her, helpless. "Oh dear
can't some one do something's" she
walled
But while she cried another woman was
working. Tiny knew the secret staircase
she had often hidden in the little passage.
She knew the sliding panel that opened
with a spring from the outside; she had
played hide and seek in all the queer cor
ners of this old house.
Bring the rope" she whispered to Bob
Quick. there's not second to lose; the
flames have reached the roof
But you cannot CO."
"Get the rope!"
Some mysterious power compelled him
to obey her command; she snatched the
coil from his hands and disappeared.
Up. up, up she went. The wall was
very hot, but she paid no heed. She reach.
ed the top. On hand and knees she crawled
down the passage. She came to the panel
She pressed the spring. but it did not
move. 1t had not been opened for months
She was almost suffocated by heat and
smoke; but, summoning all her strength
she struck the panel AID cried, Jasper
Jasper! Jasper! I've come to save YOU
Jasper was standing at the open window
gazing helplessly at the crowd below. He
did not hear the voice of the brave cir
who had rlsked her life to save him. His
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